Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a quarterly sectoral review of the Ministries of Coal and Mines on January 2 and January 3, respectively, government
sources said.
For the Coal Ministry, key focus areas will include increasing coal production, improving efficiency at existing and upcoming mines, and the rehabilitation of closed mines. India’s coal output is projected to rise by nearly 50% from around 1 billion metric tonnes currently to 1.5 billion metric tonnes by 2030. Coal demand to meet thermal power requirements is expected to grow by about 17% over the same period.
During the review of the Ministry of Mines, discussions will centre on prioritising mineral extraction and separation through smelters to augment domestic availability. The government is also expected to take stock of progress under the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), including developments against long-term targets.
In September, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme to build recycling capacity for the separation and production of critical minerals from secondary sources. The scheme, part of the NCMM, aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.
The Ministry of Mines has said the critical mineral value chain — spanning exploration, auctions, mine operationalisation and overseas asset acquisition — involves long gestation periods. Recycling of secondary sources is seen as a near-term solution to ensure supply chain sustainability.
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The scheme will run for six years from FY26 to FY31 and will cover eligible feedstock such as e-waste, lithium-ion battery scrap and other scrap, including catalytic converters from end-of-life vehicles. One-third of the outlay has been earmarked for small and new recyclers, including start-ups.
Incentives will apply to new units as well as capacity expansion, modernisation and diversification of existing facilities, with support focused on actual extraction of critical minerals rather than only black mass production.
